One tree hill

Posted by Aaron Schmidt (Auckland, New Zealand) on 8 October 2005 in Landscape & Rural.

One Tree Hill was given its name by a large, 125-year-old pine tree that stood on the summit. The obelisk was built next to the tree in 1947 as a monument to commemorate the Maori people.

Unfortunately, the obelisk and the tree were seen as symbols of European opression and the tree was attacked twice by chainsaw-wielding activists in 1994 and 1999. The second attack did enough damage to reduce the life expectancy of the tree to 3 years. So in October of 2000, the decision was made to remove the tree and (as you can see) the obelisk now stands alone. A view from the top, looking south can be seen in this picture.

vfxy Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org